Elegantly-designed motifs of plants decorate the famous tablecloths of Provence, France. Traditionally, these textiles are made of pure cotton; some modern versions are made from spill-resistant polyester and are more durable, like the one pictured here. ©M-J de Mesterton

  Swedish Meatballs with Cream Sauce, Accompanied by New Potatoes and Lingonberries

  By melting dark chocolate in a double-boiler and whisking-in some dairy cream, I made ganache with which to cover these cupcakes. ©M-J de Mesterton 2022

  I used my old recipe for chocolate cake, filled cupcake pans large and small, then used a tea-strainer to dust the cakes with powdered sugar before arranging them on platters.. ©M-J de Mesterton 2022